I represent the first generation whom, when we were born, the television was now a permanent fixture in our homes. When I was born people had breakfast with Barbara Walters, dinner with Walter Cronkite, and slept with Johnny Carson.
Read the full "Pre-ramble"

As always, the further we go back in Hollywood history, the more
that fact and legend become intertwined. It's hard to say where the truth
really lies.

October 18, 1988

Roseanne debuts on ABC.

The show was considered groundbreaking for its
realistic portrayal of a working-class family and the issues they faced. Barr’s
portrayal of the loud, abrasive, overweight Roseanne Conner was a sharp
contrast to the stereotypical TV housewife in the mold of Leave It to
Beaver’s June Cleaver and The Brady Bunch’s Carol Brady. The show
was an instant ratings hit, airing for nine seasons, collecting numerous awards
and turning Barr into a big star.

Roseanne was set in the fictional town of Langford, Illinois, where
the wisecracking Conner lives with her husband Dan (played by John Goodman),
daughters Becky (alternately Lecy Goranson and Sarah Chalke) and Darlene (Sara
Gilbert) and son D.J. (Michael Fishman). Roseanne’s younger sister Jackie
(Laurie Metcalf) is also a prominent member of the family. The show featured a
large cast of supporting characters, which over the years included a young
George Clooney (as Roseanne’s boss Booker Brooks of Wellman Plastics), Estelle
Parsons (as Roseanne and Jackie’s mother), Shelley Winters, Martin Mull and
Sandra Bernhard, among others.Roseanne Barr was born on November 3, 1952, and raised in Salt Lake City,
Utah. She began doing stand-up comedy at clubs in Denver and used her
experiences as a wife and mother of three children as fodder for her routines.
She became known for using the term “domestic goddess” to refer to a housewife.
By the mid-1980s, Barr had risen to national fame, and in 1988 her self-titled
TV show debuted on ABC.During her years on TV, the outspoken Barr became a tabloid target, and her
family, personal appearance and romantic relationships were all heavily
scrutinized. Barr was married to her second husband, the actor Tom Arnold, from
1990 to 1994. From 1995 to 2002, she was married to Ben Thomas, who worked as
her security guard. In June 1990, Barr stirred up controversy when she
performed a screeching, off-key version of the “Star Spangled Banner” at a
Major League baseball game in San Diego. After her song, she spit and grabbed
her crotch in what she said was a humorous imitation of baseball players. She
was heavily criticized for the incident, which was later parodied on multiple
occasions, including by Barr herself.The final original episode of Roseanne aired on May 20, 1997. Barr
went on to host her own talk show, from 1998 to 2000, and has subsequently been
involved in a variety of film and television projects.

October
23, 1925

Talk show
host Johnny Carson is born in Corning, Iowa. After studying journalism in college, Carson began working in radio
and television. He began writing for TV shows in the 1950s and hosted his own
show, Carson's Cellar, in 1951. He began occasionally guest hosting for
Jack Paar on The Tonight Show and became the show's permanent host in
1962.
He retired in 1992 and died in Los Angeles on January 23, 2005.

About Us

TONY FIGUEROA is a standup comedian, writer, actor and storyteller based in Los Angeles. In his spare time Tony can be found story telling at the Story Salon in North Hollywood (Tony is also one of the producers) and of course watching TV. Tony is also a contributor to TV CONFIDENTIAL.
DONNA ALLEN-FIGUEROA always knew that she wanted to act. Donna’s professional credits include principle roles on the soaps DAYS OF OUR LIVES and GENERAL HOSPITAL. She guest starred with Robert Guillaume on ROBERT GUILLAUME SHOW. Donna also lends her voice to many animated characters, and has appeared in several television commercials. Theater credits include several LA productions (including readers and Radio Theater), and a season with Chicago’s famed Free Street Theater. Donna is a chronic shopper always in search of the ultimate bargain.